January 17, 2013

Justices Pay Tribute to Former Longtime Supreme Court Official

The Supreme Court community said farewell this morning to Francis Lorson, the legendary former deputy clerk of the court who died January 11 at age 69. Five justices, dozens of court staff members and practitioners, as well as many family members and friends, attended a mass of Christian burial for Lorson at the Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception in D.C.

Lorson retired in 2002, but is still fondly remembered as the ever-helpful court official who assisted legions of lawyers in following the court's rules and procedures and prepare for briefing and arguments before the court. He was widely viewed as the court's institutional memory for more than three decades.

In remarks toward the end of the service, Chief Justice John Roberts Jr. described Lorson as legendary, a "quiet, unassuming man who had the charisma of one who knew what he was doing." Lorson was "always unfailingly helpful and unfailingly gracious" to lawyers like Roberts, who argued before the court regularly before becoming a judge. "He extended these courtesies to everyone," Roberts said, also noting that justices asked Lorson for advice as well.

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg spoke too, recalling that Lorson's "reassuring smile" helped calm her nerves before the six arguments she made at the court in the 1970s. "He was never at a loss as to what to file and when," she said, and imparted his knowledge to all advocates, veterans and novices alike. She also revealed that Lorson helped her after she joined the court when she was battling colorectal cancer. Lorson had survived the same kind of cancer, and helped make it "less frightening" for her.

The other justices attending the mass were Antonin Scalia, Anthony Kennedy and Elena Kagan. Also at the service were Jeffrey Minear, counselor to the chief justice, Court Marshal Pamela Talkin, and numerous other court officials and employees. Solicitor General Donald Verrilli Jr. led a large contingent from the solicitor general's office. Among the veteran court practitioners spotted in the pews were former solicitor general Seth Waxman, Patricia Millett, Tom Goldstein, Miguel Estrada, Alan Morrison, Beth Brinkmann, H. Bartow Farr III, Richard Taranto and Paul Smith. Smith served as a pall bearer, as did current deputy court clerk Gary Kemp.

Comments

As the former Dean of the CUA law school, I am ever grateful to Frank for his unqualified love for his alma mater and the countless visits of Justices to our program that he encouraged and helped facilitate for our program.

In each of the two times I argued before the Court and on the other occasions when Court did not elect to review cases I presented, Francis Lorson, was a kind, helpful, and knowledgeable man. I always knew that the easier he made it for me, he also made it easier for the Court. I appreciated his assistance, his vast knowledge, his considerable wit, his perspective and his kind suggestions. The Court, and the lawyers who argue before it, has lost a wonderful man.

I went to Catholic University law school with Frank. He was always a mature, dignified and unassuming legal scholar who garnered the respect of his classmates simply by his bearing. It was wonderful to read the accolades he justly received for his work at the Court. I will miss knowing that Frank was there. Rest in Peace Brother. You ran the race well -- and won!